firm
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++firm1 /fɜːm $ fɜːrm/ ●●● S1 W1 noun [countable] 1 COMPANYa business or company, especially a small one 〔尤指小型的〕公司，商行，事务所electronics/advertising/law etc firm She works for an electronics firm. 她在一家电子公司工作。a firm of accountants/solicitors/builders etc Kevin is with a firm of accountants in Birmingham. 凯文在伯明翰的一家会计师事务所工作。► see thesaurus at companyn COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + firma large/big firmHe is managing director of a large firm.a small firmHe trained with a small firm in Cardiff.a medium-sized firmThe law will not effect medium-sized firms with less than 100 employees.an engineering/building/electronics etc firmFred worked for an electronics firm.a law/accounting/advertising etc firmShe was offered a job with a law firm.a British/American Swiss etc firmBritish firms are competing with a number of foreign companies.a local firmThe equipment was supplied by a local firm.a foreign firmThere has been renewed competition from foreign firms.a family firmThe business grew from a small family firm into a large company.phrasesa firm of solicitors/accountants/surveyors etcMs Shaw is a partner in a firm of solicitors.verbswork for a firmChris has been working for this firm for nearly 20 years.join a firmHe joined the firm when he was in his early twenties.leave a firmShe left the firm in 2007.a firm employs somebodyThe firm employs more than 200 people.a firm produces somethingOur firm produces computer software for the business market.a firm supplies somethingThe firm supplies office furniture to local businesses.Examples from the Corpus
firm• Edward got a job with a firm of accountants in London.• Hanson decided to start his own management consulting firm.• Now his firm has been axed from school duties in Swansea and faces prosecution.• She works for a law firm in Amsterdam.• But while workers in food factories are regularly inspected, sandwiches are often made by small firms and even one-man-bands.• Paid holidays are 25 percent fewer in small firms and only half of this allowance is actually taken.• But what followed was usually at least embarrassing for the firms, and quite often the disclosures provoked international action.• She moved to Federated late last year to help the firm set up a new emerging markets fund.• Harris joined the firm in 1992.• The firm then reimbursed the fund for the $ 200,000 it had received from the fund for legal costs.• When defaults proliferate, as they do during and after recessions, the two firms wield enormous clout in financial markets.a firm of accountants/solicitors/builders etc• It arose out of an action for professional negligence against a firm of accountants, but the person bringing the action went bankrupt.• This raises the question of whether a partnership, such as a firm of accountants, or a corporation can act as arbitrators.• This relates to the forwarding of investors' names to the Inland Revenue by a firm of solicitors.• The leading modern authority of Bridge v Deacons concerned a firm of solicitors in Hong Kong.• What acts may be considered usual for a firm of solicitors will change with the times.• They've hired a firm of solicitors and an investigator to gather evidence.• He went for advice to a firm of solicitors.firm2 ●●● S3 W2 adjective 1 HARDnot completely hard, but not soft, and not easy to bend into a different shape 结实的，坚实的 OPP soft The sofa cushions are fairly firm. 沙发的坐垫很硬。 a firm green apple 硬的青苹果 Most doctors recommend sleeping on a firm mattress. 大多数医生建议睡硬床垫。► see thesaurus at hard2 ATTACHstrongly fixed in position, and not likely to move 牢固的，稳固的 SYN secure Make sure the ladder feels firm before you climb up. 要确保梯子稳固了再爬上去。 A concrete foundation was poured after digging down to firm ground. 挖到坚实的地面后浇水泥地基。 Mount the tanks side by side on a firm base. 把水箱靠在一起放在稳固的底座上。3 SUREnot likely to change 确定的，坚定的，坚决的firm conviction/commitment/belief etc Our client hasn’t reached a firm decision on the matter yet. 我们的客户在这件事上还未作出最后决定。 Blackpool remains a firm favourite with holidaymakers from Northern Ireland. 布莱克浦仍是北爱尔兰度假者不变的最爱。 Corey was always a firm believer in prayer. 科里一直坚信祷告的力量。 They made a firm offer (=offered to pay a particular amount) on the house over the weekend. 周末，他们对那幢房子给出了最终买价。 Diana and Laura have been firm friends (=close friends) since their early teens. 黛安娜和劳拉从十几岁起一直友情甚笃。4 DETERMINEDshowing in the way that you behave or speak that you are the person in control and that you are not likely to change your answer, belief etc 〔态度、语气等〕坚决的 Cal replied with a polite but firm ‘no’. 卡尔很有礼貌但语气坚决地回答说“不行”。 What this country needs is firm leadership. 这个国家需要的是强有力的领导。be firm with somebody You need to be firm with her or she’ll try to take advantage of you. 你对她要强硬，否则她就会欺负你。► see thesaurus at determined, strict5 HAND 手a firm grip/hold/grasp etc TIGHTif you have something in a firm grip etc, you are holding it tightly and strongly 紧握，紧紧抓住，牢牢握住 He took a firm grip of my arm and marched me towards the door. 他紧紧抓着我的手臂，快步往门口走去。 a firm handshake 紧紧的握手6. take a firm stand/line DETERMINEDto state your opinion clearly and not be persuaded to change it 采取坚定立场7 stand/hold firm CHANGE YOUR MINDto not change your actions or opinions 坚持下去，坚定不移stand/hold firm against Jones is urging Christians to stand firm against abortion. 琼斯力劝基督徒们坚决反对堕胎。8 a firm hand a strict way of dealing with someone 铁腕，强硬手段9 money 货币PEC [not before noun] if the value of a particular country’s money is firm, it does not fall in value 坚挺的 SYN steady —firmly adverb —firmness noun [uncountable]Examples from the Corpus
firm• Cook macaroni until tender but still firm.• These exercises are good for making your stomach muscles nice and firm.• Monkfish has a very firm and meaty flesh, so it's easy to use for kebabs.• The cut surface was firm and pale, but with no areas of necrosis.• Buy peaches that are quite firm, as they ripen very quickly indoors.• A dam about a mile upriver from the city held firm during the earthquake.• Emily was polite but firm - her answer was 'no'.• What you need is a firmer mattress.• I find I sleep better on a firm mattress.• The dollar began Friday on a firm note.• a firm red tomato• There was something about the firm set of her body that Jay knew instinctively: she was a survivor.• Winding down I gave a firm strike only to find that I had missed the take, I was gutted.• Leapor is firm that her friend will be happier with a man who is dependable and who lives within his means.• For this recipe you will need six firm tomatoes.• We're going to have to be very firm with her, but still treat her with respect.• You'll just have to be firm with him and tell him he can't have any more money.• The suspension is the same as that used in the Sunny GTi, which makes it firm without being too hard.a firm base• A shift in the weather pattern, bringing low pressure systems across the Alps in December laid down a firm base.• That hope rests on a firm base.• There is a sort of secret cave under the far bank which must be filled before a firm base can be established.• The capitalist tenant, the concessionaire and so forth will similarly have a firm base in the growing economically petty-bourgeois element.firm friends• From my angle Edward and I were now firm friends.• He first met Minton in a top-floor club in Wardour Street and they became firm friends.• It was the right decision for us both and we're still firm friends.• It was their second get-together, and the two have now become firm friends.• Many volunteers return many times and become strongly attached to a favourite reserve - and make firm friends.• The girls' parents had held her in high regard and they had become firm friends.• The men have since become firm friends.• They had remained firm friends ever since their first meeting.be firm with somebody• You must be firm with her.• Tessa sweetie, be firm with him.• He was wearing shorts and an open-necked shirt, and his limbs were firm with muscle and suntanned.• Sometimes, to be firm with people can be more helpful than leaving problems until it is too late.firm3 verb [transitive] 1.PRESSto press down on soil to make it harder or more solid 夯实，压实〔土壤〕2 firm something ↔ up phrasal verb → See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
firm• The researchers are to examine more trees including four more species before they firm up their claims.From Longman Business Dictionaryfirmfirm1 /fɜːmfɜːrm/ noun [countable]ORGANIZATIONS a company or business, especially one which is quite smallThe eight-volume guide contains entries for 700,000 lawyers and 44,000law firms.afirm of chartered accountantsThe auditing services market is dominated by a small number of large accounting firms. → consulting firm → search firmfirmfirm2 verb [intransitive, transitive] FINANCE if prices on a financial market firm to a particular level, they rise to that levelfirm toSales volume hit £53 million as the shares firmed 19p to 126p.→ See Verb tablefirmfirm3 adjective [only before a noun]1firm decisions, judgements, or offers are final and not likely to be changedThe Confederation of British Industry said it was too early to make firm forecasts about demand.The airline hasfirm orders for 20 Airbus A321 medium-range jets.2FINANCE stocks, shares, prices etc which are firm have been rising and do not seem likely to fallThe Federal Reserve chairman implied that the US would keepinterest rates firm.OPEC members needfirm prices to maintain their revenues.The dollar ended the week on a firm note (=with a steady price).Origin firm1 (1700-1800) Italian firma “signature”, from Latin firmare “to show to be true”, from firmus; → FIRM2 firm2 (1300-1400) Old French Latin firmusfirm1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1firm2 adjectivefirm3 verbLDOCE OnlineChinese
especially business Business a small or a company, Corpus
firm
firm1 S1 W1 /fɜːm $ fɜːrm/ 
noun [countable]
electronics/advertising/law etc firm
She works for an electronics firm.
a firm of accountants/solicitors/builders etc
Kevin is with a firm of accountants in Birmingham.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + firm
▪a large/big firm He is managing director of a large firm.
▪a small firm He trained with a small firm in Cardiff.
▪a medium-sized firm The law will not effect medium-sized firms with less than 100 employees.
▪an engineering/building/electronics etc firm Fred worked for an electronics firm.
▪a law/accounting/advertising etc firm She was offered a job with a law firm.
▪a British/American Swiss etc firm British firms are competing with a number of foreign companies.
▪a local firm The equipment was supplied by a local firm.
▪a foreign firm There has been renewed competition from foreign firms.
▪a family firm The business grew from a small family firm into a large company.
■ phrases
▪a firm of solicitors/accountants/surveyors etc Ms Shaw is a partner in a firm of solicitors.
■ verbs
▪work for a firm Chris has been working for this firm for nearly 20 years.
▪join a firm He joined the firm when he was in his early twenties.
▪leave a firm She left the firm in 2007.
▪a firm employs somebody The firm employs more than 200 people.
▪a firm produces something Our firm produces computer software for the business market.
▪a firm supplies something The firm supplies office furniture to local businesses.
▪ company an organization that makes or sells something, or provides a service: big oil companies | telephone companies | He runs a software company.
▪firm a company, especially one that provides a service rather than producing goods: a law firm | a firm of accountants | a security firm
▪business a company – often used when talking about a company that employs only a small number of people: She set up her own catering business. | small businesses | a family business
▪corporation a large company that often includes several smaller companies: IBM is one of the biggest corporations in the world.
▪multinational a very large company with offices in many different countries: American multinationals are establishing research and development facilities across the developing world.
▪conglomerate /kənˈɡlɒmərət, kənˈɡlɒmərɪt $ -ˈɡlɑː-/ a very large company that consists of several different companies which have joined together: The company was taken over by a German media conglomerate.
▪giant a word used mainly by newspapers for a very large company: Their clients include the retail giant, Wal-Mart.
▪subsidiary a company that is owned by a larger company: The company runs its New York operations through a US subsidiary.
firm2 S3 W2 adjective
OPP soft:
The sofa cushions are fairly firm.
a firm green apple
Most doctors recommend sleeping on a firm mattress.
2. strongly fixed in position, and not likely to move
SYN secure:
Make sure the ladder feels firm before you climb up.
A concrete foundation was poured after digging down to firm ground.
Mount the tanks side by side on a firm base.
3. not likely to change
firm conviction/commitment/belief etc
Our client hasn’t reached a firm decision on the matter yet.
Blackpool remains a firm favourite with holiday makers from Northern Ireland.
Corey was always a firm believer in prayer.
They made a firm offer (=offered to pay a particular amount) on the house over the weekend.
Diana and Laura have been firm friends (=close friends) since their early teens.
4. showing in the way that you behave or speak that you are the person in control and that you are not likely to change your answer, belief etc:
Cal replied with a polite but firm ‘no’.
What this country needs is firm leadership.
be firm with somebody
You need to be firm with her or she’ll try to take advantage of you.
5. HAND a firm grip/hold/grasp etc if you have something in a firm grip etc, you are holding it tightly and strongly:
He took a firm grip of my arm and marched me towards the door.
a firm handshake
6. take a firm stand/line to state your opinion clearly and not be persuaded to change it
7. stand/hold firm to not change your actions or opinions
stand/hold firm against
Jones is urging Christians to stand firm against abortion.
8. a firm hand a strict way of dealing with someone:
These children need a firm hand.
9. MONEY [not before noun] if the value of a particular country’s money is firm, it does not fall in value
SYN steady
firm against
The pound is still firm against the dollar.
—firmly adverb
—firmness noun [uncountable]
firm3 verb [transitive]
to press down on soil to make it harder or more solid
firm something ↔ up phrasal verb
1. to make arrangements, ideas etc more definite and exact:
We’re hoping to firm up the deal later this month.
2. to make a part of your body have more muscle and less fat by exercising
| I |
noun [countable] Date: 1700-1800
Language: Italian
Origin: firma 'signature', from Latin firmare 'to show to be true', from firmus; ⇨ firm2
a business or company, especially a small oneLanguage: Italian
Origin: firma 'signature', from Latin firmare 'to show to be true', from firmus; ⇨ firm2
electronics/advertising/law etc firm
a firm of accountants/solicitors/builders etc
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| II |
adjective Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin firmus
1. not completely hard, but not soft, and not easy to bend into a different shape Language: Old French
Origin: Latin firmus
OPP soft:
2. strongly fixed in position, and not likely to move
SYN secure:
3. not likely to change
firm conviction/commitment/belief etc
4. showing in the way that you behave or speak that you are the person in control and that you are not likely to change your answer, belief etc:
be firm with somebody
5. HAND a firm grip/hold/grasp etc if you have something in a firm grip etc, you are holding it tightly and strongly:
6. take a firm stand/line to state your opinion clearly and not be persuaded to change it
7. stand/hold firm to not change your actions or opinions
stand/hold firm against
8. a firm hand a strict way of dealing with someone:
9. MONEY [not before noun] if the value of a particular country’s money is firm, it does not fall in value
SYN steady
firm against
—firmly adverb
—firmness noun [uncountable]
| III |
verb [transitive]to press down on soil to make it harder or more solid
firm something ↔ up phrasal verb
1. to make arrangements, ideas etc more definite and exact:
2. to make a part of your body have more muscle and less fat by exercising
Running a business 经营企业
buy/acquire/own/sell a company/firm/franchise收购／获得／拥有／出售公司／商行／特许经销权 set up/establish/start/start up/launch a business/company创办企业／公司 run/operate a business/company/franchise经营企业／公司／专卖店 head/run a firm/department/team管理公司／部门／团队 make/secure/win/block a deal达成／阻止一笔交易 expand/grow/build the business扩展业务 boost/increase investment/spending/sales/turnover/earnings/exports/trade增加投资／支出／销售量／营业额／收入／出口／贸易 increase/expand production/output/sales增加产量／输出量／销售量 boost/maximize production/productivity/efficiency/income/revenue/profit/profitability使产量／生产力／效率／收入／收益／利润／收益增加／最大化 achieve/maintain/sustain growth/profitability实现／维持／保持增长／收益 cut/reduce/bring down/lower/slash costs/prices削减成本／价格 announce/impose/make cuts/cutbacks宣布／强制实行／实施削减
Sales and marketing 销售和市场营销
break into/enter/capture/dominate the market打入／进入／占领／控制市场 gain/grab/take/win/boost/lose market share取得／夺取／得到／赢得／增加／丢失市场份额 find/build/create a market for sth为某物找到／建立／开创市场 start/launch an advertising/a marketing campaign发起广告／营销宣传活动 develop/launch/promote a product/website开发／推出／推销产品／网站 create/generate demand for your product为产品创造需求 attract/get/retain/help customers/clients吸引／赢得／留住／帮助顾客／客户 drive/generate/boost/increase demand/sales刺激／创造／提高／增加需求／销售量 beat/keep ahead of/out-think/outperform the competition打败／领先于／智胜／胜过竞争对手 meet/reach/exceed/miss sales targets完成／达到／超过／未达到销售目标
Finance 财务
draw up/set/present/agree/approve a budget起草／制订／提出／批准预算 keep to/balance/cut/reduce/slash the budget执行／平衡／削减／大幅削减预算 be/come in below/under/over/within budget未超出／超出预算；在预算之内 generate income/revenue/profit/funds/business产生收益／利润／资金／营业额 fund/finance a campaign/a venture/an expansion/spending/a deficit为活动／商业项目／扩张／开支／赤字提供资金 provide/raise/allocate capital/funds提供／筹集／分配资金 attract/encourage investment/investors吸引／鼓励投资／投资者 recover/recoup costs/losses/an investment收回成本／亏损／投资 get/obtain/offer sb/grant sb credit/a loan获得／为某人提供／准予某人贷款 apply for/raise/secure/arrange/provide finance申请／筹集／获得／安排／提供资金
Failure 失败；不成功
lose business/trade/customers/sales/revenue失去生意／买卖／顾客／销量／收益 accumulate/accrue/incur/run up debts累积／积累／招致／积欠债务 suffer/sustain enormous/heavy/serious losses蒙受惨重损失 face cuts/a deficit/redundancy/bankruptcy面临削减／赤字／裁员／破产 file for/ ( NAmE enter/avoid/escape bankruptcy申请／避免／幸免破产 ( BrE go into administration/liquidation进入行政接管／清算 liquidate/wind up a company清算／关闭公司 survive/weather a recession/downturn艰难渡过萧条期／衰退期 propose/seek/block/oppose a merger提出／寻求／阻止／反对合并 launch/make/accept/defeat a takeover bid发起／进行／接受／阻止收购投标
